Complicated Pregnancy 2 Flashcards
Ectopic Pregnancies Early Labour
What are the most common locations for an ectopic? [4]
Tubal: ampullary > isthmus > intramural (97% )
Ovarian (1% )
Cervical (0.1%)
Fimbrial (~%)
Ectopic pregnancy risk factors [7]
Risk factors include:
- PID
- Tubal surgery
- Previous ectopic
- Assisted conception e.g. IVF
- IUD
- Progesterone only pill
- Endometriosis
Presentation of ectopic pregnancy [3]
- Hx of amenorrhea for 6-8 weeks with positive urine pregnancy test
- Leading symptom: unilateral iliac fossa pain, with/without vaginal bleeding
- Other symptoms: loos stool, vomiting
How do we test to confirm an ectopic? [5]
- FBC, G&S
- Serum progesterone (usually sub-optimal)
- Serum b-HCG serially tracked at 48 hour intervals
- Rhesus status
Ultrasound findings:
- No intrauterine sac, may see an adnexal mass and/or blood in the Pouch of Douglas
What does Serum BHCG tell us about an ectopic [2]
Normally, increases by at least 66% in 48h
However in ectopic will rise sub-optimally
How can you treat an ectopic pregnancy?
1) Conservative (if she’s stable it may shrink on its own) - monitor b-HCG levels to ensure falling
2) Medical - MTX
3) Surgical - Laparoscopic salpingectomy if there’s a risk of rupture and/or very unstable
Define preterm labour [1]
Gradings [3]
Types of preterm labour [2]
the onset of labour before 37 completed weeks
Mildly preterm = 32-36wks
Very Preterm = 28-32 wks
Extremely Preterm = 24-28wks
Preterm labour can be both spontaneous or Induced
Predisposing factors of preterm labour [4]
Causes [3]
Diagnosis of preterm labour [2]
RF
- Multiple pregnancy
- Polyhydramnios
- Smoking
- Pre-eclampsia
Causes
- APH
- Infection e.g. UTI
- Premature membrane rupture
Diagnosis
Contractions before 37w
Cervical changes on vaginal examination
How do we go about managing a pre-term labour that is viable? [4]
- Tocolysis
- Steroids
- NICU transfer
- Aim for vaginal delivery
- Counselling for family, MDT with neonatologist
What is Tocolysis and when do we use it? Give 3 eg and their respective class of drug
Tocolysis encompasses labour suppressant meds.
You can use it for up to 24hrs in order to transfer the patient to a facility with a NICU & to give steroids
Nifedipine – CCB
Atosiban (IV) – oxytocin antagonist
Terbutaline – beta 2 agonists
Indomethacin
Why give steroids in pre-term labour? [2]
ROA, doses [2]
increases rate of lung development by increasing surfactant development
IM dexamethasone 2 doses 24h apart
What are the common complications of prematurity for the neonate? [6]
- Resp Distress Syndrome
- Intraventricular hemorrhage
- Cerebral Palsy
- Jaundice
- Infections
- Visual or hearing impairment
Also temp control and nutrition are very difficult for premature babies
What is one symptom in ectopic pregnancies to watch out for?
irritation of diaphragm by blood in peritoneal cavity > referred pain because diaphragm and supraclavicular nerves that innervate shoulder tip share C3-C5 dermatomes
Ectopic pregnancy uncommon presentations
Vaginal bleeding - explain and most common bleeding sites
Vaginal discharge
Vaginal bleeding caused by decidual breakdown in the uterine cavity due to suboptimal beta-HCG levels.
Bleeding usually intra-abdominal not vaginal
Vaginal discharge – brown colour akin to prune juice – result of decidual breakdown
Ectopic pregnancy uncommon presentations
Abdominal exam may reveal, why
Bimanual exam signs [3]
Localized abdominal tenderness due to peritoneal irritation
Normal sized uterus
Cervical excitation
+/- adnexal tenderness